Police to welcome community at National Night Out

Sterling Heights Detective Ken Mercer demonstrates a robot to the Sakofske family — dad Brandon, mom Sandy, and kids Tyler and Noah — from Sterling Heights during a previous National Night Out event near the Sterling Heights Police Department.

File photo by Donna Agusti

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STERLING HEIGHTS — The Sterling Heights Police Department will once again meet with the public to discuss what they do — and what residents can do — to keep the city safe at the Aug. 6 National Night Out event.

The event, now in its 35th year, will be held outside the police headquarters, in the Richard J. Notte Sterling Heights City Center parking lot.

During a July 16 Sterling Heights City Council meeting, City Manager Mark Vanderpool described the atmosphere of the event, adding that it’s on the same night as a City Council meeting.

“We have a lot of kids that show up and families, and it’s fun for everyone,” he said. “The event will include demonstrations of public safety equipment, displays from the Police and Fire departments. Emergency service personnel will speak to residents about established volunteer programs.”

According to organizers, the Police Department will arrange plenty of things for families to see and do, including displaying police and emergency rescue vehicles for residents to see up close.

Meanwhile, volunteers from city safety programs like the Neighborhood Watch, the Citizens on Patrol and the Community Emergency Response Team will be sharing what they do. Vanderpool added that the event will include raffles and refreshments.

Police Officer Mike Kunath, who is the union president of the Sterling Heights Police Officers Association, said the event gives families a chance to see police motorcycles, bikes and special response gear.

He described what it’s like for kids to sit inside vehicles or wear some of the police gear, adding that it becomes “a happy day.”

“It’s a great way for the community to see how much we support them, and we see in return how much they support us,” he said. “It just shows that we’re working for them and how much they mean for us.”

The National Night Out draws between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees every year, according to Sgt. Aaron Susalla.

According to an emailed statement from Mayor Michael Taylor, volunteer programs such as these play a role in the city’s commitment to fostering a safe environment and a high quality of life.

“National Night Out is used to promote a sense of community between our Police Department and our residents, and helps underscore how well our police force collaborates with the community to help keep Sterling Heights the sixth safest city in the entire country,” he said.

The Sterling Heights Police Department will host its 35th annual National Night Out 6:30-9 p.m. Aug. 6 outside its headquarters, located at 40333 Dodge Park Road in Sterling Heights. Families who live in the city are invited. Find our more by visiting www.sterling-heights.net or by calling (586) 446-2800.